KEIGHLEY are continuing their late tilt for promotion from Division Two of the Bradford Premier League, as they won a thrilling clash by two wickets at home to Lightcliffe on Saturday.

The match was reduced to 35 overs per side due to the wet weather around and was one of only five games to be played to a conclusion in all four divisions.

The Lightcliffe innings began slowly, as the visitors’ former bowler Daanyaal Ahmed put them in a spin, taking 3-50.

But Jordan Pickles gave the away side some momentum with 44 not out from 40 balls, allowing Lightcliffe to post a competitive total of 158-7.

Wasim Hussain was the other Keighley bowler to stand out, taking 2-33.

Keighley did not start their reply well, slumping to 62-4, but Johandre Barnard (56) and Scott Etherington (46) put on a partnership of 81 to see the hosts to the brink of victory.

But the pair were dismissed in quick succession, as Keighley collapsed to 155-8.

Fortunately, captain Simon Bailey held his nerve, hitting a four to win the game from the penultimate ball of the innings.

That puts Keighley up to fourth with eight games to go, just eight points behind vanquished Lightcliffe, and only 17 away from second-placed Bowling Old Lane, who occupy the final promotion spot at present.

There was no play for the seconds in Reserves Division Two, as their game at Ossett was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.

Keighley picked up five points for that result to remain in fifth.

The firsts and seconds are both up against Northowram Fields this coming weekend.

Bailey’s side will certainly fancy their chances on the road, with Northowram fourth-bottom in Division Two.